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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train

It takes an average of 5h 46m to travel from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) by train, over a distance of around 332 miles (534 km). There are normally 58 trains per day travelling from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) and tickets for this journey start from £34.90 when you book in advance.

First train

04:46

Last train

23:45

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Edinburgh (Waverley)

Journey time

From 4h 11m

Distance

332 miles (534 km)

Frequency

58 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £34.90

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo

London to Edinburgh (Waverley) train times

Check out the next trains departing from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) for Tuesday 19th March 2024 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
06:15 On timelondon kings cross11:14 On timeedinburgh (waverley)Plat. 6 london north eastern railway PeakGet tickets4h 59m, direct
06:16 On timelondon euston12:19 On timeedinburgh (waverley)avanti west coast PeakGet tickets6h 3m, direct
07:00 On timelondon kings cross11:20 On timeedinburgh (waverley)london north eastern railway PeakGet tickets4h 20m, direct
07:30 On timelondon kings cross12:14 On timeedinburgh (waverley)london north eastern railway PeakGet tickets4h 44m, direct
08:00 On timelondon kings cross12:23 On timeedinburgh (waverley)london north eastern railway PeakGet tickets4h 23m, direct

Travelling by train from London to Edinburgh

If you want to travel from London to Edinburgh by train, you've come to the right place.

The train from London to Edinburgh usually takes around 5h 36m but can take just 4h 10m on the fastest services, with around 42 trains running on this popular route per day. As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as there are direct services available.

You'll be travelling with Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) or Lumo on this route depending on the railway station you'll be leaving from. LNER and Lumo trains depart from London Kings Cross, while Avanti West Coast services depart from London Euston station.

How to get cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh

Want to snap up the cheapest fares? Read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh below or check out the latest train deals and discounts:

  • Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year
  • Book in advance: Most train companies in the UK usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
  • Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to Peak times
  • Use GroupSave: If you're travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to 34% on eligible journeys at Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times
  • Split your train tickets with SplitSave, our new split-ticketing app feature.

If you're ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets to Edinburgh with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use our timetable to view live train times from London to Edinburgh.

If you'd like to spend some time in the Scottish capital but you're unsure how to get there, read our guide on the best way to travel from London to Edinburgh

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Edinburgh (Waverley)? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) take?

The average journey time by train between London and Edinburgh (Waverley) is 5 hours and 46 minutes, with around 58 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) is 4 hours and 11 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) can start from as little as £34.90 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley)?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) without having to change trains. There are 58 direct trains from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?

The first train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) leaves at 04:46. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) leave?

The last train from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) leaves at 23:45. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Edinburgh (Waverley) by train?

Trains travelling from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) cover a distance of around 332 miles (534 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Edinburgh (Waverley).

Cheap train tickets from London to Edinburgh (Waverley)

Train tickets from London to Edinburgh (Waverley) start at £34.90 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Edinburgh (Waverley) is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Enjoy Simpler Fares from London to Edinburgh with LNER

LNER’s new Simpler Fares pilot has launched on the journey between London and Edinburgh. From 16th January 2024, there are now just three ticket types available to buy for travel from 5th February 2024, to make planning your journey easier:

Advance (non-flexible)

Tis ticket remains the same and is valid for a specific time and date that you book in advance. Find out more about Advance train tickets.

70min Flex (semi-flexible)

This new ticket type is valid for a single journey and allows you to travel on any LNER service that departs up to 70 minutes before or after your original booked train. Like Advance tickets, you’ll have a seat reservation on your original booked train, but can simply board another valid train and find an available seat with your 70min Flex ticket.

Anytime (fully-flexible)

This ticket remains the same and is valid on any service within the booked date validity. Find out more about Anytime train tickets.

Can I book the 70min Flex ticket on Trainline?

Yes you can! Once you make a search for times and tickets, you’ll be able to find the new 70min Flex ticket in the ‘Compare all ticket types’ section on our website and ‘First Class and more’ section on our app.

Book now

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Travelling from London to Edinburgh by train

In September 2023, I took the train from London to Edinburgh with LNER, travelling in one of their First Class. carriages. It took around four and a half hours to get from London King’s Cross station to Edinburgh Waverley station by train. 

What I enjoyed about the journey

The train was clean, the seating was comfortable, and I was happy with the amount of legroom I had in First Class. There was plenty of luggage storage on board, which was useful. I was also able to charge my devices thanks to the plug sockets at my seat.  

There were also toilet facilities on board, as well as a quiet carriage for passengers who prefer to travel in quieter surroundings. 

I was pleased with the food and drink options available on board. Since the journey is around 4 and a half hours long, it’s good to know you can get a snack if you want one! 

During the journey, I was able to sit back and relax. As I looked out of the window, I saw some great views as we whizzed through the British countryside.  

A view outside the train window on a train travelling from London to Edinburgh.

What I didn’t like about the journey

One thing I didn’t like about my trip was the lack of WiFi on the journey. LNER usually offer free WiFi for all customers on their trains, but it wasn’t available when I took this trip. 

That said, overall I really enjoyed travelling in First Class with LNER. My train was on time and the trip from London to Edinburgh was smooth, quick and fuss-free. 

 

About Andrew

Andrew, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Edinburgh. The review has been written by one of our travel writers, based on a survey including multiple-choice questions regarding pros and cons of the journey. 

An enjoyable journey from London to Edinburgh by train

I recently took the train from London to Edinburgh with LNER, travelling in First Class. It took around four and a half hours to get from London King’s Cross station to Edinburgh Waverley station by train. 

What I enjoyed about the journey

During the journey, I enjoyed gazing out of the window at the British landscape. In particular, the views from the right-hand side of the train after we left Newcastle were stunning. The train was so close to the coast, and I had a lovely Scottish woman next to me pointing things out. 

View from the train window on a train from London to Edinburgh

I even saw the Flying Scotsman just after we stopped at York station, when I looked out of the left-hand side window. 

I was able to sit back and relax in one of the train's comfy seats. I was pleased that the train was air-conditioned, and there were toilet facilities on board too. 

The Flying Scotsman, as seen from the train window of a train travelling from London to Edinburgh

In addition, the catering on board offered a good range of food and drinks, and the staff were all very helpful. I also liked that I could charge my devices on the go thanks to the plug sockets at my seat.

I was impressed with how quick the journey was – I was able to travel from England’s capital to Scotland’s capital in under five hours! 

What I didn’t like about the journey

One thing I didn’t like about my trip was the train’s WiFi availability. The connection was pretty poor on my outbound journey, though it was much better when I took the trip back from Edinburgh to London

That said, my train trip from London to Edinburgh was pretty good overall. I was happy with all the facilities that LNER offered on board, and the train itself was clean and comfortable. 

 

About Matt

Matt, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Edinburgh. The review has been written by one of our travel writers, based on a survey including multiple-choice questions regarding pros and cons of the journey. 

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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